Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products

ABSTRACT

This structure is partially open and its inner recess forms a housing capable of housing a bottle ( 10 ) by a controlled loading and unloading opening ( 2   a ). Control is attained by a locking device ( 3 ) with a neck clamp ( 5 ) which fastening means ( 4 ) face each other by a binding lock ( 3   c ) which keeps them assembled, thus compensating the effect of certain spring means ( 4   b ) that tend to separate them till reaching the disassembly position of the above mentioned clamp ( 5 ). By the control circuit ( 12 ) the locking device ( 3 ) is operated and the binding lock ( 3   c ) allows opening the fastening means ( 4 ), disassembling the clamp ( 5 ) and releasing the neck ( 10   a ) of the bottle ( 10 ) that can be removed from the housing ( 2 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of the current needs in life andparticularly, to the structures and installations for the distributionof goods. More particularly, it relates to a controlled access structurefor the provision of bottled products which, by means of a lockingdevice which clamps bottle necks, allows the controlled automatedprovision and dispensing of such bottles.

PRIOR ART

To this day, other devices are known, such as the ones disclosed byPatents number US 2004/0232092A1 and EP 0017417A1. These devicescomprise locking structures common to every housing which have to becompletely removed every time a bottle needs to be taken from itsrespective housing.

The device disclosed by Patent No. U.S. 2005/0263471A1, where the bottlehousings provide a seismic anchoring system based on rings with leashesthat may be easily released and does not prevent the bottle from beingremoved from such housing, is also known.

A vending machine for the dispensing of beverages and/or food disclosedby Patent No. GB 1438823, which system is highly complex and only allowsthe simultaneous release of every housing from the same row, is alsoknown.

ADVANTAGES AND PURPOSES

A purpose of the present invention is that it allows the dispensing ofbeverages such as wines, in the best conditions, for discerningconsumers.

An advantage is that the present structure may be gathered in groups ofseveral units or as part of racks or pieces of furniture in which eachmodular structure features its own locking means. The above mentioned isof great importance in order to avoid the unnecessary opening ofhousings adjoining to the used one.

Another advantage is that the present structure is based on a lockingdevice with a clamp which affects the bottle necks only. Therefore, itallows the rest of the bottle to be seen by the consumer through thestructure components.

Another advantage is that, when the lock is released, the clampfastening means immediately open up due to the presence of a secondspring means of constant operation.

Another advantage is that the electromagnetic lock only needs theoperation circuit when the locking member is released. Then, said memberis retained and kept inactive due to the misalignment of the lockingopenings and only returns to its locking position when the operatormoves the fastening means to reach a position in which the lockingopenings become aligned and allow said locking member to enter driven bya first spring means.

Another advantage is that every housing provides its own signalingmeans, which features the following two positive effects: on one hand,it provides the consumer location information on a particular housingonce the buy was performed in order to fetch his/her product and, on theother hand, it allows to identify the housing that needs to be filled upby shelf fillers when restocking is required.

Another advantage is that it features a control circuit allowing thecentralized operation of every locking and signaling means of thestructures.

Another advantage is that the control circuit may be used with one ormore structures, and even other structures may be added to theoriginally existing ones.

DRAWINGS

The object of the invention will be better understood from these figureswhich show one of the preferred embodiments, given by way ofillustrative examples, without limitation:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present structure showing a bottlein its corresponding housing and the locking device forming a clamparound said bottle neck.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present structure without the bottlein the housing and with the locking device already assembled.

FIG. 3 comprises drawings A and B, where:

-   -   FIG. A is an upper front view of the loading and unloading        opening of the present structure, where the locking device        forming the clamp is shown; and    -   FIG. B is an upper front view of the loading and unloading        opening of the present structure, where the locking device is        shown disassembled and with the fastening means open due to the        effect of the second spring means.

FIG. 4 comprises drawings A and B, where:

-   -   FIG. A is a perspective view of the locking device already        assembled and out of the structure so that details can be better        appreciated; and    -   FIG. B is a perspective view of the locking device already        disassembled and out of the structure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking device, out of thestructure, showing the clamp assembly around the bottle neck.

FIG. 6 comprises drawings A, B and C, where:

-   -   FIG. A is a partial cross sectional view of the fastening means        where the electromagnet member forms the lock going through the        aligned locking openings, position in which it is normally        driven by the operation of the first spring means.    -   FIG. B is another partial cross sectional view of the fastening        means, where it can be seen how the electromagnet member        releases the lock as it retracts when the tension of the first        spring is overcome by effect of the electromagnet; and    -   FIG. C is another partial cross sectional view of the fastening        means where it can be seen how the rotation movement of such        means misaligns the locking openings, thus the electromagnet        member gets retracted and the lock, disassembled.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a control circuit in one of itspossible embodiments.

FIG. 8 is an upper front view of an arrangement gathering a set ofstructures; it can be seen how the upper left structure features thelocking device in a disassembled manner and with the signaling means litup.

In the different figures, like reference numbers and/or letters refer tolike or corresponding parts.

LIST OF MAIN REFERENCES

(1) Structure.

(1 a) Structural elements of structure (1).

(2) Housing.

(2 a) Loading and unloading opening of the housing (2).

(3) Electromagnetic locking device.

(3 a) First spring means of the electromagnet (3 b) in the lockingdevice (3) [it normally drives the locking means (3 c) to the lockingposition at the locking openings (4 a)].

(3 b) Electromagnet.

(3 c) Locking member or rod.

(4) Fastening means.

(4 a) Locking openings on the fastening means (4).

(4 b) Second spring means on the fastening means (4) [it drives thefastening means (4) so that it can be opened or separated from eachother and its resistance force must be overcome to assemble the clamp].

(4 c) Concave ends.

(4 d) Pivot member of the fastening means (4) [point of support].

(5) Neck clamp.

(6) Structural support of the fastening means (4).

(7) Signaling means.

(7 a) Indicator light of the signaling means (7).

(10) Bottle.

(10 a) Bottle neck.

(11) Timer means.

(12) Electric/electronic circuit.

(13) Main processing phase.

(14) Power source.

(15) Data reception and transmission phase.

(16) Signaling phase.

(17) Operation phase.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

For the purposes specified herein, the controlled access structure forthe provision of bottled products, intended to house single bottleswhich body includes a neck, comprises:

-   -   A structure, at least partially open exposing its inner recess;    -   A housing as formed in such inner recess, capable of holding a        bottle;    -   A loading and unloading opening for bottles to said housing,        wherein:    -   The loading and unloading opening for bottles is controlled by a        locking device;    -   Such locking device comprises a neck clamp;    -   Such neck clamp comprises a set of fastening means normally        opposing due to the operation of a lock binding them; and    -   Said lock keeps the clamp assembled, compensating the effect of        the spring means, under the influence of which said fastening        means tend to separate till reaching the disassembly position of        said clamp.

DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a controlled accessstructure for the provision of bottled products which is partially openand which inner recess forms a housing (2) capable of holding a singlebottle (10) by means of a loading and unloading opening (2 a) controlledby a locking device (3) with a neck clamp (5), which fastening means (4)are in opposing positions by means of a binding lock (3 c) which keepsthem assembled, thus compensating the effect of certain spring means (4b) that tend to separate them till reaching the disassembly position ofthe above mentioned clamp (5).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

More particularly, the controlled access structure is intended for thecontrolled dispensing of any kind of bottled products.

The present structure (1) comprises structural elements (1 a) which onlyenables the loading and unloading of bottles (10) through a controlledaccess opening (2 a). Said structure (1) may be more or less closed but,in general, it enables the exposition or visualization, at leastpartially, of the bottle (10) kept inside. Thus, the followingstructures (1) are also proper: skeleton structures, racks, woodenstructures, etc.

In this way, the above mentioned structural elements (1 a) define thelimits of an inner recess forming the housing (2) capable of holding abottle (10). It is foreseen that the present structure (1) is possibly amodular structure (1) by putting together a plurality of similarstructures (1) or by the construction of a complete structure such as apiece of furniture or shelves, comprising a plurality of singlestructures (1).

The loading and unloading opening (2 a) is, in turn, controlled by thepresence of an electromagnetic locking device (3), which gives thepossibility to open and remove the bottles (10) from the housing (2).

This locking device (3) comprises a clamp (5) assembled around thebottle neck (10 a) of the bottle (10) kept in the housing (2). The clamp(5) is assembled with the concave ends (4 c) of certain fastening means(4) normally arranged in an opposing position.

These fastening means (4) comprise two revolving arms associated by apivot member (4 d) assembled in a structural support (6) of thestructure (1). In order to assemble the lock, these fastening means (4)comprise corresponding locking openings (4 a) and they become alignedwhen the clamp (5) is assembled. In order to achieve such alignment inthe locking openings (4 a), the effect of the spring means (4 b)—forexample a coil spring or other similar means—should be compensated orovercome, since said fastening means (4) tend to separate from eachother till reaching the open position of its ends (4 c) or thedisassembly of the clamp (5) while influenced by said spring means.

Moreover, the alignment of the locking openings (4 a) enables theoperation of the locking device (3). The latter (3) comprises a member(3 c) capable of going through said locking openings (4 a) up to thepoint the opening of the fastening means (4) is hindered. In oneembodiment, said member (3 c) is under the influence of a first springmeans (3 a) which normally drives it to the locking position. In orderto disassemble the lock, this member (3 c) is retracted byelectromagnetic means (3 b), for example an electromagnet (3 b),connected to the operation phase (17) of an electric and/or electroniccircuit (12).

In another embodiment, the locking device (3) can be pneumatic. In thiscase, the member (3 c) is retracted by a pneumatic action obtained by apneumatic circuit and its corresponding valve means.

Both the electric/electronic circuit (12) and the pneumatic circuit maybe designed to control a plurality of structures (1).

It is also foreseen the use of signaling means (7), such as LEDs (7 a),which allow to identify the structure (1), which locking device (3) isreleased and enables the loading and unloading of bottles (10).

In one embodiment, the above mentioned electric/electronic circuit (12)may comprise a power source (14), a data reception and transmissionphase (15), a main data processing phase (13) and control signalgeneration phase, a signaling phase (16) and an operation phase (17).

The data reception and transmission phase (15) performs the function ofcontrolling the data traffic to and from the circuit (12). The mainprocessing phase (13) enables the processing of received data andgeneration of control indicators for the signaling (16) and operation(17) phases.

The signaling phase (16) is directed by the main processing phase (13)and controls the signaling means (7) existing in the structures (1).Finally, the operation phase (17) is also directed by the mainprocessing phase (13) and enables the control of the operation means oflocks.

It is foreseen the possibility of the timer means (11) to operate withthe signaling means (7) and/or lock devices (3).

OPERATION OF THE ASSEMBLY

When the locking device (3) is active, the ends (4 c) of the fasteningmeans (4) are in opposing positions and are arranged in an adjacent wayso that they can form a clamp (5) around the bottle neck (10 a) of thebottle (10) kept in the housing (2). Under these circumstances, thelocking openings (4 a) of the fastening means (4) become aligned andcrossed by the member (3 c), which keeps the lock assembled.

The operation phase (17) may be powered by the control circuit (12),which will actuate the electromagnet (3 b) of the locking device (3).Therefore, the locking member (3 c) will overcome the tension of thefirst spring means (3 a) and will be pulled away from its position atthe locking openings (4 a) driven by said electromagnet (3 b). Thus, thefastening means (4) will be opened due to the effect of the secondspring means (4 b), which disassembles the clamp (5) and releases thebottle neck (10 a) of the bottle (10) which may be removed from thehousing (2).

Accordingly, the fastening means (4) operate as if they were class 2levers which articulate on a common pivot point (4 d), which effort isgiven by the ends (4 c) forming the clamp (5) and which resistance isprovoked by the anchoring of the second spring means (4 b).

Signaling means (7) such as a LED (7 a) which is lit up indicating thedisassembled status of the locking device (3), actuate simultaneouslywith the operation of the locking device (3). This is particularlyimportant for those situations in which many structures (1) aregathered, each bearing a bottle (10) inside. Under these circumstances,the signaling means (7) already lit up, becomes particularly useful forthe user to identify the structure (1) from which he/she may take abottle (10).

The presence of timer means (11) enables to limit the activation time ofthe signaling means (7).

Undoubtedly, when the present invention is put into practice, somemodifications may be introduced as regards construction and structuredetails, without departing from the basic principles as clearly definedin the claims below.

1. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, intended to house single bottles which body includes a neck, comprising: A structure, at least partially open showing its inner recess; A housing as formed in such inner recess, capable of holding a bottle; A loading and unloading opening of bottles in said housing; Characterized in that it comprises, at least, one housing in which: The loading and unloading opening for bottles is controlled by a locking device; Such locking device comprises a neck clamp; Such neck clamp comprises a set of fastening means normally opposing due to the operation of a lock binding them; and Said binding lock keeps the neck clamp assembled, counteracting the effect of the spring means that tend to separate said fastening means till reaching the disassembly position of said clamp.
 2. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that the lock normally binding the fastening means is electromagnetic.
 3. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that the lock normally binding the fastening means is pneumatic.
 4. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 2, characterized in that the electromagnetic lock comprises a member prepared to cross corresponding fastening means openings, which become aligned with the assembled clamp.
 5. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 2, characterized in that the electromagnetic lock comprises a member which, under the influence of a spring means normally driving it to cross corresponding fastening means openings, is retained and kept inactive due to the misalignment of such openings in the disassembly position of the clamp.
 6. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises signaling means.
 7. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 5, characterized in that the signaling means comprises at least one indicator light.
 8. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 5, characterized in that the signaling means comprises a circuit fitted with a timer means.
 9. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means of the clamp comprise corresponding Class 2 levers.
 10. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 8, characterized in that the fastening means comprise corresponding Class 2 levers which articulate at a common pivot point.
 11. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an electric/electronic circuit.
 12. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 10, characterized in that the circuit comprises an operation phase controlling the electromagnetic lock.
 13. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 10, characterized in that the circuit comprises a phase controlling the signaling means and a timer means.
 14. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 10, characterized in that the electric/electronic circuit is prepared to control several similar units.
 15. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 10, characterized in that the electric/electronic circuit comprises: A power source; A data reception and transmission phase; A main data processing and control signal generation phase for the signaling and operation phase; A signaling phase directed by said main processing phase, controlling the signaling means of the housings; and An operation phase directed by said main processing phase, controlling the operation means of the housing locks.
 16. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of housings fitted with corresponding lock devices.
 17. Controlled access structure for the provision of bottled products, as of claims 1, 13 and 15, characterized in that it comprises a circuit controlling a plurality of housings, either individually or as a group. 